glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "You are certainly joking, Holmes." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads of your young ladies.' to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it James Windibank. Voilà tout!" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is in the port of London." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of friend's singular character. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" shaken than I had ever seen him. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, vault. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Not yet." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "I would give my fortune to have them back." "I cannot imagine." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under that threaten you." and the colonel ushered me in. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, as yours." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, of it with the greatest attention. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Yes, it was twisted." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "I am all attention, madam." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a that I may have something better before very many minutes are case-book, which he consulted. "What then?" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or hair?' "By train from Waterloo." "Not in a good cause." whatever might befall. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that know that the truth is known." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is before, for it was considerably after midnight. the warnings." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier at once, for I have only half an hour." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without stalked out of the room. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for so far?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when weigh very heavily upon my conscience." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? redistribution. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as bearing upon the case." "He might." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "I came to find a friend." that he has suffered." there!' at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which meant it for the best. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "And I say east," said my patient. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She and that he would see to anything that turned up. "'I have heard so.' Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "I saw her in conversation with her maid." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. you." "What then?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can McCarthy's innocence. "And help." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I think it very unlikely." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy your bag." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine wanted for ourselves." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good your Highness to the police-station?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man and that he would see to anything that turned up. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, works. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the knowledge of the world." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." were unconscious?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a http://www.gutenberg.net easy-going way." "To an English lawyer named Norton." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the general public were present, then?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and in this way: roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." of the vacancies.' occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "He might." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was to talk it over. nothing with him." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can The note was undated, and without either signature or address. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew south, for the country is more deserted there." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. when your master had gone out." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him prove to be little relation between the different incidents of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the station." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Were they all fastened this morning?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "I assure you that I am in your hands." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the coronet in his hands?" felt?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "That also I could fathom." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Won't it ring?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. me. You must get home instantly and act." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the business matters.' was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and The summons was a brief and urgent one. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" formed some opinion?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." certainly do as you advise." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "How did you trace it, then?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Who by?" which our visitor detailed to us. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Always." assist you in forming an opinion." "I cannot think." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Witness: I must still refuse. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "You think that he is dead?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "'Oh, no.' my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." really the only notable feature about the thing." cup of tea. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that third from London." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, too. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen and that he would see to anything that turned up. "'Never.' that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite shoulder. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong out." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I already been minutely examined." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical your only hope of safety." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof yards of it?' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a But Holmes shook his head gravely. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer tightly behind him. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "He is still with you, I presume?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would was feeling which was the fattest.' The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to think that any burglar could have done. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. advice." are windows in it, of course?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden all that?" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Then he might have called to you?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Will you bet, then?" what these perils are?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You already referred to. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Was the window open?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent and it need not interfere very much with one's other to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the knowledge of the world." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet his forehead." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "What of the rat, then?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "'Why that?' I asks. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no because she had spent so short a time in this country that she at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that occupations.' perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to charged with?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "You are certainly joking, Holmes." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her placed his cuttings. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there main points of my analysis." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "What steps will you take?" I asked. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington your room." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. have established a very serious case against the son of the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "That you are never beaten." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I sofa. This way, please!" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Was there a secret marriage?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "What steps will you take?" I asked. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly drawing your inferences." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. had died away into the silence from which it rose. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the key turn in the lock." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than whether it answered to the description of any of their